dashboard Archives

AppWizard

July 28, 2026

Google Play services update brings seamless wrist payments and a revamped storefront feed

Google has released Play services v26.29 and Play Store v52.5, which include several enhancements for the Android ecosystem. The new Play services version features upgraded Maps APIs for various devices, new utilities APIs for Wear OS, and unspecified improvements to system management and diagnostics. The "Connected apps" section has been rebranded to "Linked apps," and Gboard has been optimized for messaging applications on Pixel devices. The Play Store update focuses on content discovery and user engagement, with a refined Play Games Sidekick dashboard and expanded Play Shorts offerings that include comic book previews. Additionally, the Engage SDK has been updated to help third-party travel applications display previous searches, aiding trip planning.

AppWizard

July 26, 2026

Your Android’s System Data Now Takes Up Cloud Storage Space – Here’s How To Disable It

Google has introduced granular backup settings for Android users, allowing them to manage data preservation more effectively. Users can disable cloud backups entirely and selectively choose which data sources or applications to back up. To adjust these settings, they can go to Settings > Google (or Google Services) > Other Device Data and toggle off the backup option. When cloud backups are disabled, app settings, call history, SMS messages, and media files will not be saved unless enabled individually. Backed-up data remains on Google's servers until manually deleted. If users exceed their cloud storage limit, they will face restrictions, such as being unable to send or receive emails in Gmail or back up photos to Google Photos. With cloud backups disabled, new devices will not automatically restore data from Google's cloud services. Users can expand their Google account storage by subscribing to Google One, with plans starting at .99 per month for 100GB. An active Google One subscription offers additional perks, including sharing benefits with family and access to enhanced Google Workspace features.

Tech Optimizer

July 23, 2026

Optimizing PostgreSQL on Azure directly in Visual Studio Code

Poor database performance can lead to missed SLAs, delayed releases, customer dissatisfaction, and lost revenue. Microsoft has enhanced PostgreSQL on Azure, transforming it into a fully managed platform that meets enterprise demands. Azure Database for PostgreSQL and the new Azure HorizonDB offer significant performance improvements, with HorizonDB being three times faster than self-managed PostgreSQL. The PostgreSQL extension for Visual Studio Code integrates performance management into development workflows, providing tools for managing PostgreSQL throughout its lifecycle. Key features include a server metrics dashboard that displays performance indicators, Azure Advisor recommendations for actionable insights, improved query plan visualization, and AI-assisted query analysis. The extension also enhances schema design and query formulation experiences, ensuring secure and governed interactions with PostgreSQL. Azure HorizonDB is in public preview, designed for AI-native workloads. These advancements aim to reduce friction, enhance clarity, and enable faster actions for enterprise teams managing PostgreSQL at scale.

Tech Optimizer

July 23, 2026

Simplify AI agent orchestration with Lakebase Postgres

The auditing process has traditionally been labor-intensive, requiring extensive document reviews. CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen LLP) partnered with the Databricks Forward Deployed Engineering team to develop a document processing application that reduces extraction time from hours to minutes while maintaining quality. The application is built on the Databricks platform, utilizing technologies like Lakebase Postgres, Databricks Apps, Lakeflow Jobs, MLflow, and Unity Catalog Volumes. The application addresses challenges in document parsing, including unpredictable per-task latency, rate-limit-aware throttling, workload prioritization, cost attribution per task, and real-time progress visibility. It eliminates the need for multiple specialized systems by integrating components such as a web application for user interaction, Lakebase for state management, an orchestrator for task management, and AI agents for document processing. The task queue is supported by two Postgres tables in Lakebase, tracking task status and execution attempts. Concurrency safety is ensured through a locking mechanism, and crash recovery is facilitated by lease-based locking. The orchestrator implements rate-limit-aware throttling and idempotent webhook callbacks to manage task processing effectively. An operator dashboard provides real-time metrics on task status, agent performance, and workload costs, with live updates through Postgres LISTEN/NOTIFY events. Cost attribution is managed at the application level, allowing for detailed monitoring of expenditures. Lakebase enhances the orchestration process with features like autoscaling compute, OAuth-rotated authentication, Unity Catalog integration, and support for branching and snapshots.

Winsage

July 21, 2026

Microsoft Confirms WSUS Sync Issue Causing Update Delays and Timeouts

Microsoft has identified synchronization delays and timeout errors affecting Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), which risks the timely delivery of Windows updates. WSUS is a management tool for distributing Windows updates across networks. Microsoft deprecated WSUS in September 2024 but continues to provide security fixes and updates. The synchronization issue has led to failures and delays in downloading update metadata, particularly impacting Windows 11 version 23H2 and later, Windows 10 version 1607, and Windows Server 2012 and later. This issue began around July 13, 2026, with mitigation efforts starting on July 18, 2026. Microsoft has released a partial fix for newly installed or rebuilt WSUS servers, while existing servers may still face challenges. The company is developing additional fixes and guidance. In previous years, Microsoft dealt with other WSUS-related issues affecting enterprise clients.

AppWizard

July 21, 2026

This App Lets You Use Android Auto in Any Car

A Galaxy phone running Android Auto showcases the evolution of mobile technology in vehicles. Android Auto, launched in 2014, has changed over time, transitioning from phone screens and vehicle dashboards to being primarily directed to Android Auto after the introduction of Google Assistant Driving Mode and Gemini. The Headunit Reloaded Emulator app allows users to restore Android Auto functionality on their phones for a fee of .99, enabling projection of the Android Auto interface onto another Android device. The app has mixed reviews regarding performance and compatibility. Users should be cautious when using their phones while driving, as the emulator is intended for use on devices other than the vehicle's built-in unit. To set up the Headunit Reloaded Emulator, users need to download it from the Play Store and grant permissions for Bluetooth and location access. The app offers three modes: Phone Mode, Wi-Fi, and USB. In Phone Mode, users can enable Android Auto on their phone's screen, which can be optimized by rotating the device to landscape orientation. Users can navigate the interface and adjust settings related to pixel density, screen margins, key press configurations, and audio routing. To connect to another device, install the Headunit Reloaded Emulator on that device, which will act as the head unit. Users can connect their primary phone via USB or Wi-Fi. The USB method requires a cable and selecting the appropriate connection mode on both devices. The Wi-Fi method involves ensuring both devices are on the same network and using the Wi-Fi Launcher app on the primary phone to establish a connection.

Winsage

July 20, 2026

Today’s the last day to get Windows 11 Pro for just $7.97

Windows 11 Pro is available for .97, reduced from its standard price of 9, with a promotion expiring tonight at 11:59 p.m. PT. The operating system includes features like Hyper-V, Windows Sandbox, BitLocker encryption, Azure AD integration, and an AI-powered assistant called Copilot.

Winsage

July 20, 2026

Enable BitLocker on Windows 11: 11 Steps, 45 Min [2026]

A stolen laptop can lead to a significant data breach, particularly when taken from public places. Windows 11 has introduced BitLocker, a full-disk encryption feature that became mandatory for Australian businesses in 2026. The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner reported 766 notifiable data breaches in the latter half of 2024, with unauthorized access to devices being a major cause. Full-disk encryption is crucial for compliance with the Essential Eight framework, which mandates data protection on portable devices. BitLocker ensures that data on an encrypted drive becomes unreadable if the drive is removed and connected to another computer. It aligns with the Essential Eight framework, requiring evidence of encryption rather than just claims of protection. There are three types of encryption on Windows 11: Device Encryption, BitLocker Drive Encryption, and File-Level Encryption. BitLocker is available only on Windows 11 Pro and higher editions. To use BitLocker, certain prerequisites must be met, including having Windows 11 Pro or higher, a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0, UEFI firmware with Secure Boot enabled, and local administrator rights. The process to enable BitLocker involves confirming the edition, checking TPM status, enabling BitLocker through Windows Settings or PowerShell, and backing up the recovery key. Organizations can deploy BitLocker fleet-wide using Microsoft Intune, and additional security measures like TPM+PIN can be implemented for pre-boot authentication. Common pitfalls during BitLocker rollout include skipping recovery key backup and assuming that Home edition machines are covered. Troubleshooting common BitLocker issues involves identifying symptoms and applying appropriate fixes. Advanced tips for enhancing security include suspending BitLocker before maintenance and auditing compliance at the fleet level. BitLocker is integral to protecting data on portable devices, and compliance documentation is essential for proving that every device has an active recovery key.

Winsage

July 19, 2026

Microsoft confirms WSUS service degradation impacting all versions of Windows

A significant issue has emerged with the Windows Server Update Service (WSUS), affecting all versions of Windows client and server. Microsoft acknowledged the service degradation that began before July 14, coinciding with the latest Patch Tuesday. This degradation has caused prolonged synchronization times and occasional timeouts during sync operations on WSUS servers, attributed to a buildup of publishing metadata. Microsoft is working on a resolution to improve performance and restore synchronization times. The affected platforms include various versions of Windows 11, Windows 10, and Windows Server from 2012 to 2025. An update is expected to be released shortly to address the issue.

Winsage

July 17, 2026

5 Windows 11 features from July’s update you shouldn’t overlook

Windows 11 has introduced several new features and security enhancements in July 2026, including: 1. A transformed Widgets Board that provides a more streamlined experience without expanding completely when hovered over. 2. A new calendar feature allowing users to postpone Windows Updates, though Microsoft advises against long delays. 3. The Point-in-Time Restore (PITR) feature, which automatically creates restore points for the system, applications, settings, and files, allowing users to revert to snapshots from the last 72 hours. 4. The Screen Tint feature, which applies a customizable color overlay to reduce eye strain, allowing personalization of color and intensity. 5. Improved Bluetooth connectivity, including a new Shared Audio feature that allows users to listen to audio from multiple Bluetooth devices simultaneously.